UFC News
Cain Velasquez to compete at MSG in pro wrestling return
Mike Heck - September 6, 2019
Cain Velasquez is heading to Madison Square Garden for his next booking, but it may not be for the event, or the sport MMA fans were hoping for. The former UFC heavyweight champion will return to the pro wrestling ring on the eve of Mexican Independence Day, Sunday, Sept. 15 at Lucha Libre AAA’s “Invading NY” event, which will take place at the Hulu Theater at MSG.
Colby Covington slams Kamaru Usman for lying about wanting to fight
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2019
After Colby Covington beat Robbie Lawler at UFC Newark, all signs pointed to him fighting Kamaru Usman next for the welterweight title. Even UFC president, Dana White said that fight would be next. Yet, the negotiations between the two reportedly hit a standstill and whether or not they fight is now up in the air. With that said, Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman continue to trade shots over social media.
BJ Penn: "China is going to have a lot of great champions."
Chris Taylor - September 6, 2019
Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn believes Weili Zhang is the first of many future champions from China. Zhang needed only 42-seconds to finish Jessica Andrade in last weekend’s UFC Shenzhen main event, capturing the promotions coveted 115-pound title in the process.
Nate Diaz hints he is fighting at UFC 244 in Madison Square Garden
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2019
Nate Diaz made his highly anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 241 when he took on Anthony Pettis at welterweight. It was his first fight in three years and the fan-favorite returned in a big way as he beat “Showtime” by decision. Now, he is hoping to fight again in 2019. After the fight, Nate Diaz called for a fight with Jorge Masvidal in which “Gamebred” was shown smiling like he had just won the lottery. Yet, the fight has yet to be made, and with the rumored Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington title fight hitting a snag, Masvidal was rumored to step in.
Colby Covington buries 'trash bag' Jorge Masvidal
Thomas Taylor - September 6, 2019
Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal are best friends. At least, they used to be.
Joe Rogan: UFC has 'ruined' prospects by rushing them
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
UFC commentator Joe Rogan feels that the UFC sometimes brings its prospects along too quickly. He worries that by doing so, the promotion sets those prospects up for confidence-shattering losses. Boxing promoters, meanwhile, have the right idea.
Khabib Nurmagomedov lashes out at media for always asking same questions
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov was conspicuously absent at UFC 242 media day, which deprived many of the reporters on-scene in Abu Dhabi of the chance to speak with him. Speaking after the UFC 242 ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday afternoon, Nurmagomedov explained why he declined to do interviews on media day. As it turns out, he’s tired of answering the same questions over and over again.
Coach outlines keys to victory for Dustin Poirier
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, Dustin Poirier will attempt to become the first man to defeat UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. In order to do so, he’ll have to thwart Nurmagomedov’s stifling ground game. Poirier’s coach, Mike Brown, believes this can be done. Brown has recently helped several of Poirier’s fellow American Top Team fighters prepare for grapplers not unlike Nurmagomedov. He prepped Kyoji Horiguchi for his two battles with Darrion Caldwell, and he helped Jorge Masvidal get ready for Ben Askren, and all of those fights went American Top Team’s way.
Jorge Masvidal walks back Usman talk, challenges Nate Diaz
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
Over the last 48 hours, there’s been reason to believe surging UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal could get the next crack at UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. First, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the expected UFC 244 fight between Usman and Colby Covington was in jeopardy, and that the UFC was looking at other potential opponents for Usman.
Kelvin Gastelum explains reluctance to take Darren Till fight
Natasha Hooper - September 6, 2019
Long-time middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum admits he was hesitant to accept a fight against struggling former welterweight Darren Till. The pair are set to clash at UFC 244 which takes place on Nov. 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Darren Till has moved up a division and has taken on a dramatic physical transformation ahead of his middleweight debut.
Edson Barboza eyes Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch, explains how he helped Dustin Poirier prepare
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2019
Edson Barboza will be fighting Paul Felder in the co-main event of UFC 242. In the main event, Khabib Nurmagomedov looks to defend his title against Dustin Poirier. For the Brazil’s Barboza, the fight atop the card is one he is eager to watch for two reasons. First, Barboza fought Nurmagomedov back at UFC 219 in 2017 and lost the fight by decision, and is interested in a rematch. Second and more importantly is the fact that Poirier is Barboza’s teammate and the pair spent a lot of time training together for UFC 242.
Kamaru Usman fires back at 'clown' Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
Yesterday afternoon, ESPN reported that the much discussed welterweight title fight between champ Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington, expected to occur at UFC 244 in November, is in jeopardy. “The Kamaru Usman v Colby Covington 170 title fight is far from done, multiple sources say,” ESPN’s Ariel Helwani wrote. “In fact, negotiations have hit a snag and UFC is now looking at other options, sources say. Those options include a different welterweight title fight and/or a different main event.